Yorkinese

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Great Britain <> China -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Yorkinese

Like its parent breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier and Pekingese, the Yorkinese is a small dog with a huge personality and the coat to match. Unlike many other toy dog breeds, Yorkinese are actually quite independent, but that doesn't mean they don't welcome attention. They are exceptionally loyal to their masters and show great affection towards them, but often at the expense of others, as they are only moderately good with other dogs and generally wary of strangers, making them better companions for smaller homes and families with less active social lives. But given the right socialization and training, they can become calm, confident and affectionate pets with surprisingly outgoing personalities.

History of the Yorkinese

As the Yorkinese is a designer breed that has only been developed in the last ten or twenty years, its history is somewhat limited, but its two parent breeds, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Pekinese, have deep and rich histories.
        

A little of the Yorkshire Terrier

        
The history of the Yorkshire Terrier is surely much more blue-collar than red-carpet, but its existence and development are no less important in historical chronology. During the Industrial Revolution, Scottish immigrants flooded into England as factories and production lines were erected, echoing the promise of steady work. They brought with them numerous breeds of small, vermin-hunting dogs and what are thought to be the predecessors of the Yorkshire, such as the Clydesdale and the now extinct Paisley Terrier. The latter was crossed with Waterside, English Black, Tan Toy and even Skye Terriers throughout its hereditary period until Yorkshire was cemented and named after its region of origin, Yorkshire in England. They have since arrived in the United States and have been welcomed with great enthusiasm for their fluffy faces and affectionate personalities.
Standard of the Yorkshire Terrier

A little of the Pekingese

Immortalized in statues and amulets throughout Chinese history, the Pekingese is one of the oldest dog breeds left on earth and, surprisingly, its DNA has changed very little in almost 2,000 years. Many legends surround the Chinese lion-dog. In its origin story, a lion falls in love with a marmoset and begs Ah Chu, the patron saint of animals, to reduce him to the size of a pygmy without changing his lion character so that he can join his love. Throughout their history, they have been the object of great respect, as they were believed to embody real lions, and were bred to look like them, to serve as protectors of royal palaces and temples. They were kept without outside influence from the 8th century until 1860, when British forces invaded the imperial summer palace and returned some of the dogs to Queen Victoria. Because of their rarity, few outside royalty could afford to buy them after they were initially taken from China, but in time their numbers allowed them into homes with lower incomes and, in turn, their popularity grew, albeit marginally compared with other breeds of the time. They were finally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1906 and have since become the basis of many designer breeds.
Standard of the Pekingese

Appearance of the Yorkinese

The Yorkinese averages just 20.5 centimeters in height and weighs around 4.5 kilos, but at least some of this weight can be attributed to the fluffy, almost shell-like fur that surrounds it. Relative to its overall size, this breed has a considerable amount of hair that often masks, if not becomes, its features and comes in a variety of colors. It generally has a semi-square head shape with a short, black nose, bright, marbled eyes and an exaggerated moustache and forehead that look a little like a lion's when combined with folded or arched ears. Although small in stature, their posture exudes power thanks to slightly more muscular forelegs, but they generally retain a regular topline that ends in a medium-length, often bushy tail.

Temperament of the Yorkinese

Both independent and affectionate, Yorkinese are fantastic watchdogs, unfailingly loyal to their masters, but their stubborn attitude tends to present a few drawbacks. They can be notoriously stubborn and therefore difficult to train, sometimes even developing small dog syndrome, unless their owners quickly establish themselves as the alphas of the family. These types of behaviors are also more likely to make them excessively noisy, which can be a problem in close quarters. They cope modestly with children and other dogs, but generally prefer small families where they can be the center of attention. More than anything, if an owner takes the time to educate and socialize them early on, Yorkinese are intelligent enough to far exceed behavioral expectations and, with the right affection and attention, can make excellent pets in a variety of situations.

Needs and activities of the Yorkinese

Because of their small size, Yorkinese need only a small to moderate amount of exercise, and are generally content with a good walk and a little extra playtime every day. Interactive and brain-teasing games will also help to tire them out and discourage any unwanted behavior, especially if they take their role as watchdog too seriously. Around 10 km of walking a week and 20 to 30 minutes a day should be enough to keep him happy and healthy.

Maintenance of the Yorkinese

Because of the cloud of hair that regularly surrounds it, the Yorkinese is definitely a high-maintenance breed that requires daily brushing to avoid knots and tangles. A variety of brushes can be used, depending on length and coat layer, but owners should beware of hair breakage due to frequent or overly rigorous brushing. If this happens, consider using a light conditioner as a preparatory agent to make combing and brushing easier for both parties, it can also be used between brushings and baths to help maintain overall coat health. They should also be bathed between once and twice a month, depending on the length of their coat and the activities they take part in; those who regularly exercise outdoors or with other dogs will need more frequent baths for obvious reasons. Ears are another important maintenance point, as even prone ears - and many are more prone - are prone to bacterial build-up and infection if surrounded by too much hair, and need to be trimmed and monitored regularly. The eyes need to be similarly monitored and wiped to avoid tear stains, and the eye area needs to be trimmed fairly neatly to give them a good line of vision. As with many other small breeds, tooth care is another important point, as brachycephalic dogs and related crossbreeds are more prone to dental problems. As with any other breed, nails also need to be monitored and trimmed as required.

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